3-Day Forecast

Free Days, Discounts, Concerts For Kern County Fair 2011

As preparations go into high gear for this years Kern County Fair, organizers announced a series of special discounts for fair-goers.

The fair is once again offering free admission from 3 to 5 p.m. on opening day, Sept. 21, as well as the return of Kids Daze, giving free admission on both Thursdays to children 12 and under.

The Kern County Fair is the largest annual celebration in our area. We want everyone to be able to come out and enjoy it, said Bill Blair, chief executive officer of the Kern County Fair

Here is a summary of free and discount days at the 2011 Kern County Fair:

Wed, Sept. 21Free admission 3-5 on Opening Day, Sept. 21 The Kern County Fair will open with a flourish on Wednesday, Sept. 21, starting a 12-day run of free shows, concerts and special attractions.

Opening day will feature the annual kick-off parade and ceremonies, a free concert by WAR and two free shows by hypnotist Tina Marie.

Early birds arriving between 3-5 on opening day will be rewarded with free admission to the Fair.

Thursday, Sept. 22 and Thursday, Sept. 29Kids DAZE  Free on both Thursdays! Children 12 and under get in free on both Thursdays of the Kern County Fair, Sept. 22 and 29.

With free activities and events all day long, its a great family value! For starters, visit Calico Corner, where there are kid-friendly exhibits, a circus, craft activities and so much more!

Friday, Sept. 23Free admission for seniors 55+ on Friday, Sept. 23

People age 55 or older will be guests of the Kern County Fair on Friday, Sept. 23. The day, sponsored by GEMCare, has become an annual tradition at the Kern County Fair.

The event begins at 9 a.m., and continues with free activities and entertainment all day. Parking also is free to seniors until 4 p.m. Tram service from the parking lot to the fair entrance will be available at the parking lot on South P Street.

An added bonus for seniors, blood pressure and other health checks are provided at no charge at the GEMCare booth in the Main Plaza.

There also will be informational tables during the morning program on free services for seniors in Kern County.

Monday, Sept. 26Monday Madness - $3 admission for all On Monday, Sept. 26, admission is only $3 before 9 p.m. for all visitors 6 years of age or older. (Children ages 5 and under are admitted free throughout the 12-day run of the fair.) Some special events that day include a free concert with Grammy-award winners Salt-N-Pepa on the Budweiser Pavilion. Another highlight is the free fifth annual Road to the Fair Karaoke Contest, with Kern Countys finest performing on the Frontier Stage.

Wednesday, Sept. 282-for-1 Wednesday Come with a friend on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and get two adult admissions for the price of one! Two-for-one admission (two admissions for $8) will be offered until 9 p.m. that evening. Bring a friend to the free concert at the Budweiser Pavilion featuring Gloriana, named Top New Vocal Group by the Academy of Country Music last year. The band takes the stage at 8 p.m., but come early to get a good seat.

EVERY DAY DISCOUNTS and SPECIALS:

Free admission for active military

Visitors with active military IDs will receive free admittance to the Fair throughout the 12-day run.

Free admission for young readers Some 30,000 school children from throughout Kern County are participating in a special reading program to earn free tickets to the upcoming Kern County Fair.

Through KCs Reading Round-Up, sponsored by Health Net, students will receive a free ticket to the Kern County Fair upon completion of 300 minutes of reading for pleasure. To qualify, students must participate through their classrooms. It is not available to individuals.

Senior discount The Kern County Fair has adopted new pricing for seniors 62-plus this year. Seniors 62-plus receive $1 off the regular-price admission throughout the 12-day run. With the senior discount, admission is $7.

Purchase tickets in advance and save Planning ahead will save families on admission. Tickets purchased in advance of the Fair are offered at a great discount: Only $6 for adults and $3 for children 6-12.

Advance tickets are offered online at kerncountyfair.com or at Albertsons stores.

Discount carnival wristbands also are available online and at Albertsons before the start of the Kern County Fair. The wristbands let fairgoers ride all day. Regularly priced at $30, the discount wristbands offer a big savings at $25.

STILL THE BEST VALUE IN TOWN Even with the full price of admission, fairgoers are still getting the best entertainment value in town.

Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for kids 6-12 years of age. Children 5 and under get in free. Parking is $5.

With an emphasis on value and entertainment, planners of this years Kern County Fair are bringing free shows to the grandstand on both weekends.

Eddie Mulders West Coast Dirt Track Series begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. This is the seventh annual year for this competition.

On Sunday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. Lucha Libre, World Power Wrestling, will take over the arena. Go Wireless/Verizon is presenting the event, a combination of drama and sport.

Corona will present the annual Fiesta Rodeo on Sunday, Oct. 2. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the grandstand. Now a Kern County Fair tradition, the Fiesta Rodeo features roping, bull riding and other events of a traditional Mexican rodeo.

For all three events, grandstand seating is free with paid fair admission. No ticket is required.

For more information about the Kern County Fair and discount tickets online, visit kerncountyfair.com.

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